U.S. patent number 4,889,334 [Application Number 07/113,498] was granted by the patent office on 1989-12-26 for device for safely securing boards for martial arts activities.
Invention is credited to Loren G. Partlo.
United States Patent |
4,889,334 |
Partlo |
December 26, 1989 |
Device for safely securing boards for martial arts activities
Abstract
A device for safely securing boards for martial arts activities
including a board-securing frame arrangement cooperating with a
release device which enlarges the board-holding space when a board
is struck to be broken, thus avoiding injury to the user which
might otherwise occur from the broken board pieces. A pedestal
stand is attached to the board-securing frame members so as to
support same at a desired position above a floor surface.
Inventors: |
Partlo; Loren G. (Coleman,
MI) |
Family
ID: |
22349800 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/113,498 |
Filed: |
October 28, 1987 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
69/004 (20130101); A63B 2069/0042 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/00 (20060101); A63B 069/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;272/76,77,78,93
;273/55R,55A,382 ;248/316.5 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2547190 |
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Apr 1977 |
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DE |
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2622491 |
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Dec 1977 |
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DE |
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2032289 |
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May 1980 |
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GB |
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Other References
Black Belt Magazine advertisement, p. 18, Jan. 1976..
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Primary Examiner: Crow; S. R.
Claims
I claim:
1. A device for securing boards for martial arts activities,
comprising:
means for securely holding at least one board to be broken;
said holding means comprising frame portions arranged to define
therebetween a board-holding space wherein said board is
secured;
release means operably cooperating with said frame portions so as
to move at least one of said frame portions in an outward direction
relative to said board-holding space when said board is struck to
be broken, whereby the size of said board-holding space is
enlarged,
said device is portable; and
a supporting stand adapted to rest on a ground or floor surface so
as to support said holding means at a predetermined level above
said surface,
said frame portions comprise an adjustable first frame portion and
an adjustable second frame portion, said first and second frame
portions being connected at rear ends thereof with an attachment
frame portion which supports said first and second frame portions
in spaced relation to each other so as to define said board holding
space, whereby the legends of said first and second frame portions
may be adjusted to accommodate various numbers of boards.
2. A device for securing boards according to claim 1, wherein:
said release means is operably connected with said first frame
portion so as to move said first frame portion in an outward
direction away from said second frame portion when said board is
struck to be broken; and
said supporting stand is attached to said attachment frame portion
adjacent said rear end of said second frame portion.
3. A device for securing boards according to claim 2, wherein:
said first frame portion includes a first pair of spaced apart
elongated frame members extending substantially parallel to each
other;
said second frame portion includes a second pair of spaced apart
elongated frame members extending substantially parallel to each
other and substantially parallel to said first pair of frame
members; and
said frame members are adapted to support said board(s) adjacent
forward ends thereof.
4. A device for securing boards according to claim 3, wherein:
said first frame members each comprises a pair of telescoping bars
operably cooperating with locking means for locking said
telescoping bars together at selective relative positions to permit
adjustment of the lengths of said first frame members; and
each said pair of telescoping bars includes a rear bar having a
rear end thereof pivotably connected with said attachment frame
portion and a front bar having a forward end thereof supporting a
board holding member.
5. A device for securing boards according to claim 4, wherein:
said second frame members each comprises a threaded shaft portion
extending rearwardly from said forward end thereof;
each said threaded shaft portion has threadedly received thereon an
internally-threaded adjustment member provided with a
board-supporting projection; and
said adjustment members are adapted to be respectively threadedly
rotated along said threaded shaft portions so as to permit
selective adjustment of the position of said board-supporting
projections along the lengths of said threaded shaft portions.
6. A device for securing boards according to claim 5, wherein:
said board-holding member supported by said forward ends of said
front bars of said first frame members comprises a first
cross-piece extending between said forward ends of said front bars
and rigidly affixed thereto; and
said first cross-piece is adjustable between a forward most
position thereof and a rearmost position thereof by selective
adjustment of the position of said front bars relative to said rear
bars via said locking means.
7. A device for securing boards according to claim 6, wherein:
said threaded shaft portions of said second frame members support a
second cross-piece between forward ends thereof, said second
cross-piece being rigidly affixed to said forward ends of said
threaded shaft portions.
8. A device for securing boards according to claim 7, wherein:
said first and second frame members are adjustable between a single
board-holding position and a maximum multiple board holding
position;
said adjustment members are threadedly rotatable along said
threaded shafts such that said board-supporting projections are
disposed proximal to said second cross-piece in said single
board-holding position, and distal to said second cross-piece in
said maximum multiple board holding position; and
said board(s) are supported by said second frame members between
said second cross-piece and said adjusted board-supporting
projections.
9. A device for securing boards according to claim 7, wherein:
said first cross-piece is disposed in said forward most position
thereof in said single board-holding position, and in said rearmost
position thereof in said maximum multiple board holding position;
and
said first cross-piece is provided with a projecting piece at each
end thereof, said projecting pieces being adapted to abut against
respective side portions of a rearmost one of said board(s).
10. A device for securing boards according to claim 8, wherein:
said device further comprises an elastic strap member secured at
its ends to said attachment frame portion so as to define a loop;
and
said strap member is adapted to be stretched around said board(s)
along portions thereof proximal to said first frame members, such
that said board(s) are supported by said first frame members
between said first cross-piece and said strap.
11. A device for securing boards according to claim 6, wherein:
said release means comprises:
an elongated rod affixed at one end thereof to said attachment
frame portion so as to extend outwardly therefrom and to define
substantially a right angle with said first frame members;
a coil spring extending between the other end of said rod and said
first cross-piece; and
said release means being adapted to swing said first frame members
outwardly relative to said second frame members when said board(s)
are struck to be broken.
12. A device for securing boards according to claim 3, wherein:
said supporting stand comprises a pedestal stand including a flat
base portion adapted to rest on said ground or floor surface;
and
an upper end of said pedestal stand is attached to said attachment
frame portion adjacent said rear end of said second frame
portion.
13. A device for securing boards according to claim 12,
wherein:
said upper end of said pedestal stand is removably attached to said
attachment frame portion;
a pair of handle portions are provided so as to extend outwardly
from respective sides of said attachment frame portion; and
said handle portions are adapted to be manually held so as to
support said holding means when said pedestal stand is detached
from said device.
14. A device for securing boards according to claim 8, wherein:
said device is adapted to selectively support fifteen of said
boards in said maximum multiple board holding position.
15. A device for securing boards for martial arts activities,
comprising:
means for securely holding at least one board to be broken;
said holding means being adjustable between a single board holding
position and a maximum multiple board-holding position;
said holding means comprising frame portions arranged to define
therebetween a board-holding space wherein said board(s) are
secured; and
a supporting stand adapted to rest on a ground or floor surface so
as to support said holding means at a predetermined level above
said surface;
said device is portable;
an upper end of said supporting stand is removably attached to one
of said frame portions of said holding means;
a multiplicity of handle portions is attached to said holding means
so as to extend from respective side portions thereof, said handle
portions being adapted to be manually held so as to support said
holding means when said supporting stand is selectively detached
from said device;
release means operably cooperating with said frame portion so as to
move at least one of said frame portions in an outward direction
relative to said board-holding space when said board is struck to
be broken, whereby the size of said board-holding space is
enlarged;
said frame portions comprise a first frame portion and a second
frame portion, said first and second frame portions being connected
at rear ends thereof with an attachment frame portion which
supports said first and second frame portions in spaced relation to
each other so as to define said board-holding space; and
means are provided for adjusting said first and second frame
members between a single board-holding position and a maximum
multiple board holding position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a device for securely
holding boards for martial arts activities in a manner which
prevents injury to the user and damage to the device. More
particularly, the invention relates to a device for holding martial
arts boards in position for being struck by a blow from the hand or
foot, such that after the blow is struck, the broken board pieces
are automatically released to fall safely away from the user's hand
or foot.
2. Description of Relevant Art
In the field of martial arts, a common exercise is that of board
breaking. A person engaging in such exercise uses his/her hand or
foot to strike a blow to a board, or a plurality of boards, so as
to break same. Typically, the board(s) is held on respective sides
thereof by a pair of accomplices, who hold the board(s) between
them. Such manual holding of the board(s) presents a number of
problems, including the possibility of injury to the holders,
improper holding of the board which prevents breakage, and/or the
inability of a person to practice board-breaking when alone.
To eliminate the need for such manual holding of the board(s) to be
broken, there have been developed a number of devices for holding
the board(s) in position to be struck. There have also been
developed various types of devices which simulate board
breaking.
Illustrative of prior devices which simulate board-breaking are
those described below.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,803 issued in 1979 to Smith entitled "KARATE
PRACTICE BREAKING BOARD" discloses a device for simulating a karate
board to be broken, including a pair of clamp members which
simulate the shape of the board. Each clamp member is provided with
a handle to be held by an accomplice, and includes a support
portion for holding one end of a strip of material of varying
strength.
German Pat. No. 2,547,190 to Kantner discloses a device which
simulates board breaking and which includes a J-shaped angle-iron
frame supporting a vertical board to the short vertical portion of
the J-frame, the board supporting a pad to be struck. A strut
extends between the long vertical portion of the J-frame and the
board, and can be adjusted to varying heights to vary the
resilience of the board supporting the striking pad.
German Pat. No. 2,622,491 to Kantner discloses a device which
simulates board breaking and which includes a base plate attached
to a tube to be inserted into apertures in the floor of sports
halls. The upper side of the base plate supports a vertical pad
retainer.
United Kingdom Pat. No. 2,032,289 to Hay et al discloses a device
for mounting a martial arts striker member such that when the
striker member is struck with a sufficiently large force it will
move. The striker member is adapted in one embodiment to move away
from the user and towards the mounting means, and in another
embodiment to break into two parts which pivot about the mounting
means.
Illustrative of prior devices for holding actual boards to be
broken are those described below.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,504 issued in 1986 to DiBartolo entitled
"HOLDER FOR BREAKABLE KARATE BOARD" discloses a karate board holder
device including upper and lower rigid frame members which are
adjustable to support a number of boards either vertically or
tilted at an angle. A bracket is used for mounting the holder on a
wall, or the holder can be mounted on other pieces of
equipment.
The "Power Fist" board holder as advertised in "Black Belt" (Jan.
1976, p. 18) comprises a martial arts boardholding device which is
generally U-shaped, with upper and lower board-supporting arms and
a rear arm for supporting on a wall or floor surface. The upper and
lower arms are adjustable to accommodate up to six boards.
The two immediately foregoing devices are closest in purpose to the
present invention inasmuch as they are adapted to support and hold
actual boards to be broken. However, both such prior devices are
limited with respect to the number of boards which they can
support, and neither is adapted to be free-standing in a
vertically-elevated position above a floor surface. Moreover, both
such devices provide relatively rigid support of the boards held
therein, thus increasing the possibility of injury to the user and
damage to the device.
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the foregoing
known devices by providing a martial arts board holding structure
which substantially reduces the possibility of injury to the hand
or foot of the user, while minimizing the possibility of damage to
the device itself. Further, the board-holding device according to
the invention is adjustable to hold from one to a substantial
number (e.g., 15) boards to be broken. The device according to the
invention also eliminates any need for attaching same to a wall
surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a device for securing boards for
martial arts activities, comprising means for securely holding at
least one board to be broken, the holding means comprising frame
portions arranged to define therebetween a board-holding space
wherein the board(s) is secured. Also provided is release means,
operably cooperating with the frame means, so as to move at least
one of the frame portions in an outward direction relative to the
board-holding space when the board(s) is struck to be broken,
whereby the size of the board-holding space is enlarged.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device includes a
detachable pedestal supporting stand adapted to rest on a ground or
floor surface so as to support the holding means at a predetermined
level above the surface. Also provided are handle portions which
permit manual holding of the holding means at a predetermined
level, particularly when the pedestal stand is detached from the
device.
The holding means according to the invention preferably comprises a
pair of spaced apart elongated first frame members, and a pair of
spaced apart elongated second frame members, the first and second
frame members being held in spaced apart relation by an attachment
frame member to which they are attached. The first and second frame
members are each provided with means for adjusting same between a
single board-holding position and a maximum multiple board-holding
position. By adjusting the adjustment means, the holding means can
be arranged to hold a single board, or any additional number of
boards up to a maximum of approximately fifteen at a given
time.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a martial arts
board-holding device which protects against injury to a user
thereof by the provision of release means for increasing the
board-holding space once the board(s) has been struck to be
broken.
A further object of the invention is to provide a martial arts
board-holding device including its own pedestal supporting stand,
thus eliminating any need for attaching the device to a support
surface.
Another object of the invention is to provide a martial arts
board-holding device which may be selectively manually held by a
pair of oppositely-disposed accomplices, or alternatively supported
by the pedestal stand.
The above and further objects, details and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a device for securing boards
for martial arts activities in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the invention, as shown in a single board-holding
position.
FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away side elevational view of the device
of FIG. 1, shown in a multiple board-holding position.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the FIG. 1 device, showing
in broken line the operation of the release means when a board is
struck to be broken.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The device for safely securing boards for martial arts activities
in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 1 as generally
including a board-holding means 1, a release means 2, a supporting
stand 3 and a board 4 to be broken by a blow struck by the hand of
the user.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the board-holding means 1 according to
the invention is defined by a plurality of frame portions which
together define a generally rectangular configuration of the
holding means 1. Preferably, such frame portions are fabricated of
a strong and rigid metal material, such as steel, so as to
withstand the forces to which they are subjected when a
board-breaking blow is struck by the user. The dimensions of
holding means 1 are such that up to approximately fifteen 1-inch
thick boards 4 can be secured therein at a given time, as will be
described hereinbelow. The cross-sectional area defined by holding
means is dimensioned to closely accommodate a board 4 therein, as
shown in FIG. 1.
The frame portions of holding means 1 include a pair of
spaced-apart first or upper frame members 10. Each of the first
frame members 10 includes a pair of telescoping bars, including a
rear bar 10a and a front bar 10b. The front and rear telescoping
bars 10a, 10b are connected together via fastening pin members 11
(FIGS. 1 and 2) adapted to be received through an aperture provided
in a rear end of front bar 10b and any one of a plurality of
apertures provided in rear bar 10a.
As best shown in FIG. 3, the forward ends of front bars 10a are
tapered so as to minimize injury to the user when a blow is struck
as described hereinbelow. At the forward most ends thereof, the
front bars 10a are rigidly connected to a flat and elongated first
cross-piece 12 adapted to rest on top of a rearmost (or a single)
board 4 to be supported. At each respective end of cross-piece 12
is provided a projection 13 adapted to abut against an upper side
portion of the rearmost (or single) supported board 4.
The rear ends of each of the rear bars 10a are pivotably connected
at 14 to respective upper portions of a rectangular attachment
frame portion 15. Such pivotable connection of each of the upper
telescoping bars to the attachment frame portion 15 permits upward
swinging of the entire first or upper frame portions 10 due to the
action of the release means as will be described hereinbelow.
The holding means 1 further includes a pair of second or lower
spaced-apart frame portions 20. Each of the second frame portions
20 includes a rear cylindrical member 20a rigidly affixed to a
lower corner portion of attachment frame portion 15. Extending
forwardly from each of the cylinders 20a is a threaded shaft 20b,
and rigidly secured between the forward ends of the shafts 20b is a
second elongated flat cross-piece 21.
Threadedly received on each of the threaded shafts 20b is an
adjustment member 22 adapted to be rotate along shaft 20b to a
desired fore-aft position thereon. Each adjustment member 22
supports an L-shaped projection 23 which is adapted to abut against
a lower rear and side portion of a rearmost (or single) board 4
being supported. By threadedly rotating adjustment members 22 along
shafts 20b, the fore-aft positions of board-supporting projections
23 are in turn adjusted.
The supporting stand 3 according to the invention, shown in FIG. 1,
comprises a pedestal stand including a flat base member 30 adapted
to rest on a ground or floor surface. Extending upwardly from base
30 is a substantially vertical tubular portion 31 which may be
formed so as to be adjustable in height by any suitable means, if
desired. A connecting piece 32, bent at substantially a right
angle, extends upwardly from tubular portion 31 and is connected at
its outer end with a lower central portion of attachment frame
portion 15 (see FIG. 3). The outer end of connecting piece 32 is
removably attached to attachment frame portion 15 by any suitable
means, and preferably by means which permits ready attachment and
detachment, such as a thumb screw member (not shown).
Similar to holding means 1, the pedestal stand 3 is preferably
formed of a strong and rigid metal material. Such material,
however, should also be relatively light in weight, so as to
facilitate transporting of the device from place to place. In this
respect, it is to be understood that the entire device, including
pedestal stand 3, is portable.
An alternative support structure for holding means 1 is provided in
the form of a handle member attached adjacent an upper portion of
attachment frame portion 15, and including outwardly extending
handles 40 (FIG. 3). When the pedestal stand 3 is selectively
detached from holding means 1 (or even with pedestal stand 3
attached), the handles 40 provide a gripping means for supporting
the holding means 1 at a desired distance above a floor surface. To
this end, two accomplices positioned at respective sides of holding
means 1 can grip the respective handles 40 to support the device
when desired.
Also attached to the attachment frame portion 15 is an elastic
strap 41 (FIGS. 1 and 2), which provides an optional board securing
means as will be described hereinbelow. The strap 41 has the ends
thereof respectively removably attached adjacent upper ends of the
opposite vertical portions of attachment frame portion 15.
The release means 2 according to the invention will now be
described. Release means 2 comprises an elongated rod 50 connected
at one end thereof to a central upper portion of attachment frame
portion 15, as shown in FIG. 3, so as to define substantially a
right angle relative to the first frame portions 10 in their normal
horizontal positions (FIG. 1). Extending from the upper end of rod
50 to a central portion of cross-piece 12 is a coil spring 51. It
will be understood that the length of rod 50 and the tension and
length of coil spring 51 is selected so as to permit first frame
members 10 to remain in their normal horizontal positions when
supporting a board, and to be swung upwardly as shown in FIGS. 2
and 3 when the board(s) are struck to be broken.
In use, the upper frame members 10 and lower frame members 20 are
first adjusted to accommodate the number of boards to be supported.
When only a single board is to be supported as shown in FIG. 1, the
adjustment members 22 are rotated along shaft 20b to a forward
position in which the projections 23 are disposed proximal to
cross-piece 21. In addition, the upper telescoping bars 10a, 10b
are adjusted by placing the fastening means 11 through the aperture
in front bar 10b and a forward most aperture in rear bar 10a. The
board 4 is then positioned in the holding means such that the lower
end thereof is supported between the rear side of cross-piece 21
and the projections 23, while the upper end thereof has the upper
cross-piece 12 resting thereon and the projections 13 abutting
against upper side surfaces thereof. If desired, strap 41 is
stretched around the upper portion of board 4 and hooked by
suitable hook members into apertures provided in attachment frame
portion 15, as shown in FIG. 1.
With board 4 thus secured within holding means 1, the user than
strikes the board with a blow by the hand as shown in FIG. 3. As
soon as the board is struck to be broken, release means 2 will
function to swing upper frame members 10 with attached cross-piece
12 upwardly about pivots 14. This upward swinging movement of the
upper frame members will protect the user's hand and/or wrist from
injury both during the striking movement of his/her hand, and
during the subsequent retraction movement of his/her hand. In this
respect it will be understood that the upward movement of the upper
frame members enlarges the board-holding space defined within the
frame portions sufficiently to permit broken board pieces to fall
away to the sides or back. As such, injury to the user's hand from
the broken board pieces, which might otherwise occur if the broken
board pieces were to remain confined within the board-holding
space, is effectively avoided. This applies both during entry of
the hand into such space, and removal of the hand therefrom.
In order to adjust the holding means 1 to accommodate a plurality
of boards, the user has merely to adjust the telescoping bars (via
the adjustment apertures and the fastening means 11) to desired
lengths, and to rotate the adjustment members 22 along shafts 20b
to the desired fore-aft positions. In this respect, it will be
understood that the adjustment of the telescoping bars 10a, 10b and
the positioning of adjustment members 22 are effected such that the
projections 13 and 23 are disposed substantially in the same
vertical plane.
FIG. 2 shows the maximum multiple board-supporting position of the
bars 10a, 10b adjustment members 22, wherein fifteen boards are
simultaneously secured within the holding means, for example. In
this respect, it will be understood that the present invention
affords great flexibility with respect to the number of boards
which may be secured at a given time, thus offering the user the
opportunity to test his board-breaking skills over a wide range of
ability.
Although FIGS. 1-3 each depict the device according to the
invention in a position for striking board-breaking blows by the
hand, it will be understood that the device is readily adaptable to
foot board-breaking exercises. To this end, the user has merely to
lay the device on its side, with the rectangular attachment frame
portion 15 resting on the floor or ground surface, so that the
board(s) are supported horizontally (rather than vertically as
shown in the figures). With the device thus positioned on its side,
the release means will extend to the side so as to still remain
fully operable to swing the frame members 10 outwardly upon
breaking of the board(s) 4. In this manner, the user's foot is
protected from injury both as it comes down upon the board(s), and
as it is removed.
Although there have been described what are at present considered
to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be
understood that various changes and modifications may be made
therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention. The scope of the invention is therefore not limited to
the preceding description, and is instead indicated by the appended
claims.
* * * * *